NLC, electricity workers protest in Calabar

The Private Sector of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Cross River State chapter of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) yesterday prevented workers of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) from entering their office in Calabar, the state capital.

They called for negotiations on the workers’ welfare.

The protesters carried placard bearing various descriptions, such as: ‘PHEDC management, negotiate now”; “Stop enslavement of electricity workers”; “Give us our right to unionise”, among others.

Chairman of NLC Private Sector, Mr. Kalu Imong, said the electricity company deprived the workers of their welfare and dismissing others arbitrarily.

He urged the government to intervene in the matter, adding that PHEDC should call the union for negotiation.

NUEE Chairman Daniel Asuquo said: “I am not striking; I am picketing. The picketing will last as long as PHEDC will see reason to call a round table conference and meet our demands before the company.”

An official of the PHEDC, Mr. Jonah Iboma, said the company had not received any formal complaints from the workers and the union.